Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Jan 1996

Vol. 460 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Promotion of Ireland in Japan.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

22 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the steps, if any, being taken to further promote Irish tourism in the Japanese market; the steps, if any, being taken to encourage Japanese tourists visiting the United Kingdom to include Ireland in their itinerary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1451/96]

Minister for Tourism and Trade (Mr. E. Kenny)

The promotion of Ireland in Japan is undertaken jointly by Bord Fáilte and Aer Lingus who are represented in the marketplace by Miki Tours, one of the leading Japanese handling operators.

The Bord Fáilte strategy in Japan is to encourage Japanese tour operators to feature Ireland in their programmes either as part of a Britain and Ireland tour or as an Ireland only tour. Awareness in the market also includes participation at travel trade seminars, trade advertising, media seminars, media visits to Ireland and direct consumer advertising.

Overall the results to date have been very impressive with Japanese visitors to Ireland increasing from 18,000 in 1993 to an estimated 28,000 in 1995, representing an increase of 56 per cent. Japanese tourists are becoming increasingly open to exploring new destinations and while our current share of the Japanese market is small, I have no doubt that there is great potential for further significant growth.